I’ve gone into it before in previous posts, but I really love Doug’s close-up magic. It’s nuanced, it’s intimate, and above all, funny. A good example of this is the Coins and Cards illusion from “World of Magic V.” Doug plays a lot with audience expectations and anticipation here, but it’s that last word play…
Category: TV Appearences
Doug on the Tonight Show (1984)
What better way to ease into the work week than with this 1984 appearance of Doug on Johnny Carson’s legendary Tonight Show? As Johnny explains, Doug was in LA for two weeks of shows at the Ahmanson Theater in preparation for a later run on Broadway. As having never seen this clip before, I was…
Doug and Dinah Shore Interview
While this clip includes yesterday’s performance at the start, it’s the sit down interview that begins at 5:53 that’s worth your price of admission for today. What I find fascinating about this chat is that it deviates from the usual talk show banter, and allows Doug to be, well, Doug. His views on science versus…
Doug on the “Dinah Shore Show:” Part One
This fantastic performance clip comes from when Doug was a guest on Dinah Shore’s appropriately named talk show “Dinah.” It’s a great sampling of some of Doug’s greatest hits, and well worth the four minutes and fifty seconds of your time. I’ll feature the interview segment itself tomorrow. Enjoy!
World of Magic IV Animal Illusion
What better way to liven up your Sunday afternoon than with this vintage clip where Doug conjures up some adorable baby animals and, well, enough said? Original Air Date: February 15, 1981 ————————————————————————————– While you’re here, be sure to donate to my Indiegogo campaign for my feature length documentary “Doug Henning’s Magical World.” To view…
The Magic Show-Celestial Elevator
There’s nothing like a brief snippet from the TV version of “The Magic Show” to start the day off right! If all elevator rides were this fun…
Crystal Gayle Christmas Special Poster
Christmas comes early to “The Doug Henning Project” with this advertisement for singer Crystal Gayle’s 1979 Christmas Special. While Doug doesn’t feature prominently on the poster, it goes without saying that he was very much in demand at this time in his career. Hey, he even gets a subtle reference with the line “Fall under…
Doug on Andy Williams?
Today’s post comes about from an email I recently received from Doug fan and ex-magic builder Russell Bruce. Here’s an excerpt: “A friend and I are really big fans of Dougs, and have been searching for anyone with a copy of Dougs appearance on the Andy Williams Show. In this appearance, they performed the opening…
1982 Cheerleader Cabinet Illusion
This illusion hails from the final “World of Magic” special, and features a variation on Guy Jarret’s original 21 person cabinet illusion. However, it wouldn’t be Doug Henning without some tweaks and flourishes courtesy of cheerleaders and a then Bruce Jenner. So, before the weekend starts, enjoy this very Doug Henning magical moment from 1982….
Statue of the Pharaohs Illusion
To commemorate new “King Tut” exhibition that has opened in Los Angeles, I feel it’s more than appropriate to showcase this clip from Doug’s “Magic on Broadway” special. While I certainly can’t vouch for its historical authenticity it sure is fun to watch. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you next week!
The $1,000,000 Illusion
As we close out the week, I wanted to showcase the “1,000,000” illusion from Doug’s penultimate special “Magic on Broadway.” The special itself, shot at the time of “Merlin,” serves as a kind of greatest hits special sprinkled with new takes on old illusions and a myriad of special guests. Reuniting with Doug on stage…
1981 TWA Airline Newspaper Ad and Commercial
This vintage newspaper ad from 1981 was produced in conjunction with a tongue in cheek TV commercial that Doug participated in for TWA. As far as a I can tell, it’s only one of a handful of ads that Doug was featured in during his career. While we’re on that subject, here’s the actual TV…
Indian Rope Trick Basket
Courtesy of Michael Whitecar’s vast collection comes another item sure to brighten up your Tuesday. It’s the basket from Doug’s Indian Rope Illusion as featured in “World of Magic VI!” Doug’s co-stars in this special were Marie Osmond, Shields and Yarnell, and (as featured above) a young Rick(y) Schroeder. Snakes not included…
The Sands of Egypt Footage
As we round out the week what better way to say goodbye than with the classic “Sands of Egypt” from “Word of Magic I?” The illusion is deceptive in its simpleness, and plays extremely well into the excitement of the evening. This excitement, in my opinion, is what makes this special so wonderful. The live…
Jim Henson’s Diary Entry for “The Muppet Show”
Jim’s Henson’s “Red Book” was a frequent log/diary he used to highlight notable events and happenings in his busy and creative life. As you can tell from the above date, February 4, 1980 was no exception. For this was the date that production began on Doug Henning’s episode of “The Muppet Show.” I’ve written before…
Houdini Torture Cell Escape in Full
Clips from 1975’s “World of Magic 1” are a rarity on the internet. For some reason, every other one of Doug’s specials are available to find if you know where to look. But, “World of Magic 1” remains elusive at best…at least online (if you catch my meaning.) It’s a shame really because in my…
Ricky Jay on “World of Magic II”
Doug’s friendship with esteemed magician Ricky Jay came to the forefront when Jay appeared on “World of Magic II” in 1976. The segment highlights Jay’s great skill at close up-magic and, of course, card throwing. In the years since, Jay’s reputation has only grown and grown, especially with his play “Ricky Jay and his 52…
Letterman’s Top Ten List
To my knowledge Doug never appeared as a guest on NBC’s famed “Late Night with David Letterman.” However, that didn’t stop Letterman from including Doug in his nightly “Top Ten” list. So, sit back, relax, and wait with bated breath for magic number 5! Special Thanks to Steven Max Droge
Muppet Show Curtain Call!
As we close out the first week of 2018, what better way to do it with Doug’s 1980 curtain call on “The Muppet Show?” Over the last eight months, I’ve shown various clips of Doug’s guest appearance on Jim Henson’s iconic program. This curtain call really showcases how easily Doug criss crossed from his own…
March of Dimes: Reading Olympics Short
They say that most people’s attention span for watching videos on You Tube is 3 minutes. But, I thought I’d test that theory with this 1970s short vignette for the “March of Dimes” called “The Magic of Reading.” It’s really a charming and endearing short film which really showcases what I feel were the high…
Dai Vernon on “Magic Circus!”
At “The Doug Henning Project” the daily focus is on, rightfully so, Doug Henning. But, for part of this week I’d like to focus on some of the master magicians that taught or influenced Doug in his formative years. The first on our list is Dai Vernon. If you aren’t aware of him, and how…
Trunk Illusion Disclaimer
Dear Readers, Recently, some visitors to the site have expressed concerns about this week of Trunk Illusion posts, and whether I am exposing magic secrets. I just want to be clear to everyone that this was made with the full approval of John Gaughan who built the illusion in 1978 and currently owns it. He was very much…
Crystal Gale Special 1979
Well, aren’t we on a television special roll this week? I particularly enjoyed this clip from a 1979 Crystal Gale television special because it sort of serves as a best of Doug Henning all wrapped up into one. Granted, a lot of these illusions had been seen on Doug’s previous specials, but the lighting…
NBC’s Night of 100 Stars
Enjoy this clip of Doug assisted by a young Ricky Schroder and a not quite so young Maureen Stapleton. For those who don’t know, “The Night of 100 Stars” was an NBC event with, you guessed it, 100 stars of film and television. Doug, star # 69, performs his classic illusion sawing two women in…
First Special Altered Poster
While I still recuperate I wanted to slowly get back into the swing of things with this first special newspaper ad from the Chicago Tribune. What’s unique about this particular piece is that the list of guest stars is updated to reflect who would actually be on the show. There are other color versions of…
The Muppets Take Doug Henning!
While I’ve featured a previous clip of Doug’s 1980 appearance on “The Muppet Show,” you really can’t go wrong with Muppets, Muppets, and more Muppets! This clip, in particular, is notable because it gives us a full performance to marvel over and suggests that maybe The Muppets aren’t always the best magic assistants. For unknown reasons,…
TWA Airlines Commercial!
Even magicians have to get to their next location in a hurry! This amusing TWA Airlines television commercial from 1981 showcases Doug’s image in a very smart and funny way. While it wasn’t his only commercial it is, in my opinion, one of the best. Hey, you even get to see Doug in a suit! So,…
Doug Henning Meet Captain Kangaroo!
“The Doug Henning Project” will be taking a much needed vacation for the remainder of the week and will return rested and wonder-filled this Monday, July 31st. I have something special planned for all of next week, so be sure not to miss it. Until then, enjoy these great clips of Doug on the Captain…
Martin Short is Doug Henning!!!
Although a website is based on words, sometimes they’re just not necessary. Enjoy this hilarious clip of Martin Short as Doug from 1985’s appropriately named “Martin Short Comedy Special!” Special Thanks to Willy Cheyenne.
“Merlin” at the Tonys!
It’s a Merlin kind of Monday here at “The Doug Henning Project!” In my You Tube travels, I came across this excellent musical clip from the 1983 Tony Awards featuring the “It’s About Magic” number from Merlin. As with all things “Merlin,” whenever you find any scenes from the show it’s a rarity. So, please…
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